Australian Workers Union officials met with the administrators on Monday and were told the money wasn't there to cover entitlements, and that Queensland Nickel was about three months behind in superannuation payments.

The union was also told the company was $70 million in debt, AWU secretary Ben Swan said on Tuesday.

"The administrators have confirmed that for the 237 workers made redundant last Friday, the company is not in a position to pay out their entitlements at this point," he said.

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"It was also confirmed the company hasn't made superannuation contributions on behalf of any employees since November - not just compulsory contributions but also voluntary ones workers themselves have made out of their own pay."